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Director of Strategic Communications

Galveston Park Board and Visit Galveston in Galveston, TX is actively seeking a driven full-time Director of Strategic Communications to direct and oversee the overall communications activity (including tourism media relations, governance, and internal communications). This position involves simultaneously directing the tourism-focused public relations efforts of Visit Galveston, the community and governmental affairs-focused public relations efforts of its parent organization, the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, and internal employee communications. Are you familiar with Galveston Island and the surrounding area? Are you passionate about the tourism industry? If so, keep on reading!

This public relations position earns a competitive salary of $125,000, depending on skills and experience. We provide exceptional benefits and perks, including strong health, dental, and vision plans, plus hospitalization, STD, and LTD policies fully paid for by the employer, and a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match on a 3% employee contribution. If this sounds like the right public relations opportunity for you,

ABOUT VISIT GALVESTON AND THE PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES

In 1963, the citizens of Galveston voted to create a specialized unit of government called the Park Board of Trustees of the City of Galveston. The organization is responsible for overseeing Galveston's tourism efforts, Galveston Island Beach Patrol (GIPB) and Coastal Zone Management (CZM). The Park Board is funded primarily through Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) and beach user fees for the parks that they manage. Tourism pays for tourism as no sales or property tax is collected by the Park Board. The nine-member board is comprised of volunteer residents with diverse business backgrounds. Each is required to serve at least two years and must also serve on one of the Park Board's advisory committees.

We are on a mission to promote and support tourism on Galveston Island in order to foster an environment that establishes a great place to live, work, and visit. Our vision is to create it a tourist destination that promises an exciting variety of experiences and a high quality of life for residents.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

As the Director of Strategic Communications, you will develop effective, targeted media pitches and editorial submissions that garner high-profile media exposure for Galveston Island and each of the organization's business units. You supply quotes, photos, and other crucial information to journalists and the media. Working closely with the marketing team, you help formulate collateral, sales promotion pieces, brochures, advertising, annual marketing plans, online content, blogs, and key marketing projects.

You are already familiar with the Island and its surrounding areas, which makes you a great asset when organizing campaigns that help advertise the evolving branding and messaging of our organization. Using your superb communication skills, you are able to effectively work with external organizations to expand our reach and perceptions of Galveston. In-house, you collaborate with the digital marketing team to create b-roll footage, YouTube videos, event photography, video pods, and more to increase exposure. You are sometimes expected to travel in or out of the local area and work outside, but that excitement factor is what makes your job so appealing to you.

You are comfortable being a leader and taking the initiative on all of these projects. At times, you find yourself working with the Senior Director of Marketing, Park Board CEO, and the Executive Director to set and attain PR goals for each fiscal year. You ensure your department remains on task for established goals, and you oversee professional development opportunities for staff. You are just as passionate about motivating and educating your team as you are about the public relations work that you do. This is what makes you an ideal director for the department!

QUALIFICATIONS OF A DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

• Four-year college degree in public relations, communications, journalism, and/or marketing-related field, or equivalent related experience
• Seven or more years of public relations experience, preferably in a related field such as travel, hospitality, or tourism
• Previous experience in government-focused public relations or government affairs
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and implementing successful strategic communications/PR plans
• Strong writing skills for a variety of communication vehicles that include press materials, creative collateral, digital channels, and more
• Strong editing skills, with a comprehensive knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and especially AP style
• Ability to pitch media daily
• Ability to collaborate with a small staff
• Prior management responsibilities for an organization's publicity program and staff
• Prior work with high-level executive teams and comfortable working with the Park Board CEO and Visit Galveston Executive Director
• Proven ability to act as a strategic advisor, anticipating and providing guidance on legislative agendas, government affairs, and emerging local issues to the Park Board CEO and Visit Galveston Executive Director
• Ability to rally internal resources and data to create the content required to evangelize the Galveston mission, including working with stakeholders across multiple departments
• Knowledge of the local area, hospitality industry, media, and news-gathering processes
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, MAC, and email
• Basic knowledge of HTML, Adobe Dreamweaver, and WordPress to facilitate website updates, e-newsletters, and blog
• Strong understanding of AI tools, including appropriate use cases for AI-driven content, communications, and research
• Ability to multitask, adhere to deadlines, and work independently
• Established contacts with local and national press and media representatives preferred
• International press contacts would be ideal
• Professional demeanor and a strong work ethic

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND TRAINING:

• Professional Certification or Affiliation within the Public Relations field
• Must hold a current and valid Class C Driver's License
• Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification or ability to become certified
  • CTA training provided by the Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees upon hire

Do you have strong verbal and written communication as well as interpersonal skills? Are you a natural-born leader? Are you an expert at navigating technology, including Microsoft Office, MAC, email, HTML, Adobe Dreamweaver, and WordPress? Do you have the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks? Are you an independent worker who never misses deadlines?

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS WORK SCHEDULE

This position works a typical schedule of 8:30 am - 5 pm on Monday to Friday with weekend and evening hours as needed. Flexibility and travel is required.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM?

If you feel you'd be perfect as our Director of Strategic Communications,

Location: 601 Tremont St Rear, Galveston, TX 77550